The 42-year-old - one half of TV duo Ant and Dec - announced the news on Saturday night after months of rumours regarding the couple's relationship.

A statement issued by McPartlin's representative said: "In response to the recent speculation in the media, Ant is very sad to announce that, after eleven years, he is ending his marriage to Lisa McPartlin.

"Ant asks for privacy at this difficult time, for both himself, Lisa and their immediate families.

"No further statement will be made."

(Image: Ian West/PA Wire)

Ant is said to be happy to pay a £30million divorce settlement to wife Lisa, it has been claimed.

The I'm A Celeb presenter allegedly wants to make sure Lisa is 'financially and emotionally supported' after their split is made official.

According to an insider, Ant is said to be happy to give Lisa half of his TV fortune if agreed by their lawyers.

"He want things to be amicable and doesn't want a drawn out court battle with Lisa," a source told The Sun .

"He still views her as a best friend and wants them both to be able to walk away from the marriage positively," they added.

While a source close to Lisa told the paper: “She is not motivated by money and doesn’t want a fight.

"But this was a real shock to her so she’s not going to rush things either.”

McPartlin tied the knot with make-up artist Lisa Armstrong in 2006 at a star-studded ceremony at St Nicholas' Church in Taplow, Buckinghamshire.

The couple met at a roadshow in Newcastle in the mid-1990s while Lisa was an aspiring pop star in Deuce.

He has often spoken of their struggle to have children.

Last year McPartlin entered rehab after struggling with a two-year addiction to super-strength painkillers following a knee operation in 2015.

It is believed that was when the marriage started to go downhill.

When he entered rehab Ant admitted he had “let down” Lisa as well as pal and co-presenter Dec Donnelly, 42.

Asked later where it left the marriage, he said: “All I can say at the moment is that she’s been amazing, fantastic throughout. Time will tell. It’s very personal, isn’t it.

“I’ve put Lisa through hell with mood swings and depression and how it affects you. I’m very sorry about the effect it has on partners. This kind of stuff puts strains on any marriage.

"In hindsight, I should have mentioned it earlier but you’re embarrassed about it. I was at the point where anything, prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs… I would take.

“And take them with alcohol, which is ridiculous. The doctors told me, ‘You could have killed yourself.’”